Esophageal varices :
Esophageal varices are swollen veins present in the lining of your esophagus. Patients with chronic liver diseases develop high blood pressure in portal veins which in turn affect the anatomically adjacent oesophagus. Due to this high blood pressure the veins get swollen which increases risk of rupture. The patients usually present with jaundice, ascites, edema, upper abdominal pain, pruritus, disorientation. In case of a rupture the patients presents with hematemesis, malena[blood in stools], appearing pale, weak and light headed due to low blood pressure. In chronic liver diseases due to formation of scar tissue there is a decreased blood flow through the portal veins this in turn increases the pressure in smaller veins. Granulomas, blood clots, enlarged spleen, viral &auto immune hepatitis also cause portal hypertension . Early diagnosis has better prognosis.